How Superman (2025) Sparked A New Era of Hope for DC Movies

For the past decade, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which served as the primary DC Cinematic Universe, and counterpart to the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), had many ups and downs. While I personally enjoyed some DCEU movies, the main critique we can all agree on was the lack of build up for certain characters, as well as the glossing over of certain characters, which were either mentioned off screen, killed off quickly, or not utilized as well.

This was a world building tip that made the MCU as successful as it is today. And something the DCEU missed so much out on.

Many of the stories, characters, and continuity were pulled from place to place, with no clear plan for the future. The final straw came in late 2022, with the release of Black Adam, which was advertised to be a massive set up, but underperformed tremendously, even with the inclusion of Henry Cavill's short return as Superman. However, it was later revealed that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wanted his character to fight Superman only, and have the DCEU revolve around his character's hype, despite him being the arch nemesis to Shazam.

Not too long after is when James Gunn (director of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker) and Peter Safran decided to launch DC Studios, rebooting the entire DCEU into the new and fresh DCU, meant to serve as DC's official equivalent to the MCU.

Although it was sad news to some, I was not surprised by the sudden change in direction and inclusion of DC Studios, as this was a welcomed development we needed for a while.

In the next few years following this bombshell announcement, more and more details emerged, regarding the casting, as well as future projects. In the DCEU, the majority of "project" or "casting" announcements we got were either casual or uncertain, meaning that we had no idea whether it was gonna happen or not. Nine times out of ten, the project would usually be announced at that, get stuck in development, and never heard about again.

But DC Studios is different this time. Not only does it go through with its revealed projects and casting announcements, but they keep their promise, and it works through quicker than one would expect. Not too long after the cast of Superman (2025) was announced, the fans ended up getting more updates, more casting announcements, and soon enough, they got set leaks, trailers, and massive marketing campaigns for the movie.

David Corenswet, who is the new face of Superman, was widely praised for his colorful, but classy down-to-earth portrayal as the Kryptonian immigrant of Earth. The film's mix of real world issues and lighthearted themes of hope and optimism made audiences, once again, believe in the one word Superman always represented: hope.

In 2025, the world is currently facing its own problems, concerning politics and immigration. With controversial U.S. President Donald Trump in the office, ordering the ICE to arrest and deport innocent citizens, it only makes sense that this movie would touch on such tough topics. But this movie reminds us that the world's not always doom and gloom.

Throughout the movie, especially in the third act, the audience has seen glimpses of children and regular citizens still believing in Superman. Even when all seemed lost. Even when Superman was down. He still became the embodied symbol that gave people around the world to push and strive.

And in a pro-Trump era, we need that hope right now.

Another thing I found fascinating about the new DCU is the build up of the supporting cast. Their roles in the film is just as important as Superman's role. Especially the characters Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, two of the most important characters in Superman comic book history.

Lois Lane has always been a serious journalist with the independent attitude, always ready to do what's right. While we've had iconic portrayals like Margot Kidder and Bitsie Tulloch bringing their own performance to the screen, Rachel Brosnahan embodies the role in her own familiar, but unique way. The interview scene with Clark, her determination to save Superman, and just going out there in the field is what makes her such a standout and unique woman in the field of journalism.

Jimmy Olsen also plays a very important role too. He is so much more than the photographer of the Daily Planet, or "Superman's Pal". He also takes part in Lois' risky investigation against Lex Luthor and his motives against Superman, using his personal connections to help expose Lex and free the prisoners from the pocket dimension created by Lex.

Therefore, it only makes sense that the Daily Planet office gets set up, alongside its cast of iconic Dailey Planet characters: Cat Grant the gossip columnist, Steve Lombard the jock reporter, and Perry White the editor in chief. Together, you create as office space that shows us Clark's life and job in this broader universe. And it opens the door to more potential appearances in future movies and shows.

With the Daily Planet's world building in mind, this is where the Justice Gang come in. They serve an equally important role, even as side characters. They exist to establish Superman in this era of metahumans and superheroes, who are seen either as heroes or controversial vigilantes.

Either way, it's one of my favorite inclusions to the movie. They're not here solely for future project set ups or post credit scenes. They're not here to steal the spotlight from Superman. They're here to have Superman co-exist among heroes in the world. It begs questions, such as, "How would other heroes handle things, versus how Superman does it?"

Superman is his own hero. So is the Justice Gang. So what happens when two ideologies clashes, when they serve to protect the people?

However, the one thing that I like about their inclusion is that you don't have to watch Superman, in order to know who they are, once they start appearing in other projects (such as Peacemaker: Season 2 or the Lanterns series). You just simply know them as a character, hero, and their abilities. Not whatever they experienced in the previous project they were in.

Instead, James Gunn leaves the doors clean and open for any possible future appearances without previous knowledge of other movies and shows. Like Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardener? He will be quietly returning in the Lanterns series, which makes sense for a character who's part of the Green Lantern Corps. And you don't have to watch Superman in order to understand Guy's character in Lanterns.

The Justice Gang's introduction also brings the iconic Hall of Justice to live action as well, which is eye candy to long time fans of iconic DC Comics and animated shows. The windows are still open for more members to join the Justice Gang (though I assume it will eventually be the Justice League, to Guy's disgust). Wonder Woman? Black Canary? Flash? Batman? The base is here, just for you!

And last, but not least, Lex Luthor was yet another stand out character (well, villain) in the movie, for me and a lot of us. Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of Lex totally stole the show. We have had iconic portrayals in the past, but I think DCU's Lex really takes the cake.

His hatred against Superman is not just there for Supes to have an arch-nemesis. His hatred is incredibly realistic and drives home the themes and messages of the movie.

As stated earlier, Superman was deemed controversial because of the simple idea that he's an immigrant from another planet. And many people feared what he would do, especially after Lex leaked the rest of Jor-El's cryptic imperialistic message to the public.

With the current climate of the ICE's wrongful arrests of immigrants and the public's discrimination against said immigrants, it's only realistic that Lex hates Superman just because he's an immigrant. He didn't need to have a tragic childhood (like in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) or a complex mindset just to discriminate against Superman. Most of the time, hate and bigotry is as simple as it gets.

And not only that, but Lex also orchestrates hundreds of other conspiracies against Superman? Such as the monkeys online hate campaign, the deal with Boravia, as well as studying him in battle, creating fight codes against him, AND using his hair to clone him?

That is a perfect Lex Luthor. Someone willing to go to great lengths just to take down Superman.

And at the end, when Superman gives his speech about how human he is? And how he hopes Lex will someday understand? That is the heart of Superman.

Overall, I believe this film is a wonderful breakthrough and leap pad for the DCU as a future franchise. With its massive success in the box office and positive reception, it gave fans something new to look forward to, as well as a hopeful future for the DC Universe as a whole.

Thank to Superman (2025), I look forward to seeing what the future holds.